Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. I have ANOTHER question. Sora allowed me to help peel off his skin when he was shedding. I even helped him get it off his feet. I also heard that you can use mineral oil if they have skin stuck on them? Is that true? Thanks

You should never peel off the shed skin off the gecko because you might damage the skin underneath that's not ready to seperate from the old skin. What I usually do when feeding the prey items to the leos is: I make sure the prey is properly hydrated with shallow dish of water for the crickets. This way the crickets will ooz water meaning they have a lot of water in the body. When your leos eat it, it gets the moisture...allowing them to shed better. You can also provide it with a water dish and humid hide to assist in shedding.

I was SUPER SUPER careful, and he wouldnt go into his humid hide and was really freaked out when he was in his cage. I also wet my hands with him on them to make him moist to help him- and it worked. Nad I understand your advice too, its really good. Thanks

I must say that I agree with Paradon on this one - provide a water bowl and/or a humid hide, and he should be able to take care of it on his own. The only time I would attempt to assist a gecko shedding (and I can understand the urge to help - they look so pathetic when they're doing it) would be if they've quit and they've got some stuck on them somewhere. At that point, especially if it's in an area where the stuck shed could constrict, like a toe, I would very gently apply a wet Q-tip, nothing more. Don't attempt to pull it off, just make sure it gets good and wet and very gently brush it off. Again, don't help unless it's absolutely necessary. After my gecko gets done shedding, I always make sure to give her a thorough inspection to make sure that it isn't necessary to help her, but I've never had to - she always gets it done on her own, and Sora likely will too.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear